Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar denounced the extreme Republican government funding bill signed into law by President Donald Trump. In addition to cutting veterans’ health benefits by nearly $23 billion, the funding bill denies over $17.5 million in direct federal investments to the Inland Empire.

“This extreme funding bill evaporates the resources our community deserves, while doing nothing to lower costs or make life better for hardworking families,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “For decades, our community has been shortchanged and I’ve worked hard to reverse this trend. This government funding bill proves yet again that Donald Trump and House Republicans do not care about the Inland Empire and the families who live, work and pay taxes here. Donald Trump is only focused on cutting funding for things like Social Security, Medi-Cal, veterans’ health care and investments in our community to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. I will never stop fighting to bring home more resources that help make the Inland Empire safer and more affordable.”

The extreme government funding bill cut $17,548,605 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding for community funding projects that would have improved housing, public safety, water conservation and cybersecurity in the Inland Empire. Those cuts in California’s 33rd Congressional District include:

• $3,000,000 for the next phase of the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino’s (HACSB) Arrowhead Grove Inclusive Redevelopment Project, which would develop 92 new affordable units in the City of San Bernardino.
• $2,500,000 for San Bernardino County’s new Bloomington Animal Shelter Construction that will promote public safety through the management of stray animals, abused pets and other homeless animals
• $1,184,000 for California State University, San Bernardino’s (CSUSB) Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) Research and Retraining Center, which would provide students with the skills in AI and Virtual Reality and support their careers in cybersecurity.
• $1,184,000 for the City of San Bernardino’s Mobile Crime Prevention Program to purchase license plate readers and other technology to support the police in cracking down on crime.
• $1,184,000 for the Hope Through Housing Foundation’s Artificial Intelligence Innovation Lab to provide access to AI and other technology to encourage innovation and help support the Inland Empire’s workforce.
• $1,105,800 for the City of Fontana’s Cypress Storm Drain System for a new storm drain system to help enhance underground infrastructure at key intersections and areas of the city where flooding occurs during heavy rainstorms.
• $1,105,800 for the first phase of San Bernardino County’s Bloomington Septic Conversion, which would install 1,200 linear feet of mainline sewer to improve wastewater treatment. 
• $1,105,800 for the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District’s (SBVMWD) Bunker Hill Groundwater Basin Conjunctive Use Program Well Construction in the City of San Bernardino, which would construct and connect two extraction wells to improve groundwater quality. 
• $1,105,800 for West Valley Water District’s Cybersecurity and Water Reliability Project to protect the region’s water systems from cybersecurity threats.
• $1,023,405 for the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Relocation, which would relocate the current Emergency Operations Center to allow police, fire and other emergency response personnel to coordinate and arrive on scene much more quickly.
• $850,000 for Omnitrans to enhance public transit infrastructure and improve our air quality.
• $850,000 for the City of Rialto’s project to rehab and make ADA modifications of the Crossings, a 100-Unit Family Apartment Community to expand affordable housing options. 
• $850,000 for the City of Rialto’s Foothill Boulevard Revitalization Project, which would improve the parkways at Foothill Boulevard to make it accessible and improve commutes.
• $250,000 for the City of Redlands’ Texonia Park Modernization, which would help build new facilities and make the park more accessible and safe for the community.
• $250,000 for the second phase of the City of Highland’s SR-210/5th Street Interchange, which would improve State Route 210 and 5th Street to help ease traffic congestion and improve safety.

Rep. Aguilar serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.